Our Community
Instructors
Kasia Lynch
(Principal Instructor / Studio Founder)
How did you discover Pilates?
I first discovered the Pilates Method in 2004 as a Fine Art Sculpture student looking for work to support my studies. I found a front desk job at a beautiful Pilates and Osteopathy practice, and one of the perks was open access to studio Pilates lessons.
I'd been living with chronic pain for three years due to a spinal injury and within a year of slow, diligent Pilates practice, I was not only pain free but I had grown an incredible 4cm taller! This is something I occasionally brag about to my students when I encourage them to seek new expressions of inner space and connection in their practice!
From a devoted student to becoming a teacher… how did this happen?
When a unique opportunity arose to study in-house with the studio’s Principal Teacher Jennifer Newman Preston, I joined a year long intensive to complete a Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction, PITC. I never imagined a casual uni job would be a pivotal life moment (especially as a shy, softly spoken introvert!) as I went from Daily Pilates receptionist to studio manager to becoming a teacher.
Can you detail some of your teaching background…
I’ve worked for a small number of exceptional local studios including Pike Pilates, Pilates International Melbourne and Das Studio Pilates. From 2017 to 2024 I also ran a small community yoga, meditation and event space - Behold Salon in Collingwood- concurrent to teaching Pilates.
In 2022 I came across a reformer pilates teaching opportunity at Downtown Studio and took the role hoping to connect with new people following the Naarm Covid lock-down. I was quietly sceptical about 'reformer' Pilates classes, having watched our industry change with fitness trends in a way that often wasn’t safe or positive.
From teaching to running a studio is quite a leap, how did this happen?
At Downtown I taught group reformer classes and initially found I was out of my comfort zone. After several weeks of challenging teaching, I made a clear personal decision to teach Pilates the way I knew how, rather than a hybridised fitness culture version of our method.
I soon discovered how receptive and responsive students were to my teaching approach, which was simply rooted in studio Pilates programming practices. As I tested my teaching and my students' capacities in this setting, I observed the energy and quality of connection in classes building. This experience was a little jump board moment towards acting on the long-term idea of creating my own studio space.
I was really humbled to see how larger sized group Pilates classes, particularly reformer-based, made our method more accessible and affordable to more people. Essentially I wanted to make a community contribution: to share, elevate and educate students through practice so they could experience many of the true benefits of Pilates practice; to experience Pilates as their body in concert.
Certifications
- Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction, PITC.
- Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, RYT 200 hr.
- Zen Thai Shiatsu Therapist, Level 1.
- Core Principles: Kellie Miller.
Body Mind Centring coursework
- Cultivating Breath, Illuminating Mind: Breath Practices to Embody Ease, Presence, and Empowerment through Anatomy, Movement, Touch and Voice.
- Engaging and Aligning the Endocrine Glands: Including their Spinal Energy Centers and Other Somatic Connections.
- Balancing the Two Sides of the Body: Embodying Integral Pelvic, Spinal and Brain Connections through Movement, Touch and Consciousness.
Other
- BFA. Fine Arts Sculpture, RMIT.
- MA. Fine Arts Research, RMIT.
Kasia teaches:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Solo and Duet Studio Pilates and mentoring sessions.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday group classes.
Sez Colakoglu
Sez has a deep interest in health, fitness and the mechanics of the human body. Her classes are focused, energising and thoughtfully challenging, helping you move with greater clarity, integrity and control.
Certifications
- Romana’s Pilates Instructor Level V.
- Certified BASI Instructor.
- Workshops: Optimising shoulder mechanics, Unlocking T- Spine, Pelvis & Glutes, Anatomy for optimising movement.
Favourites
Frog
Teaches
Solo Studio Pilates lessons: Wednesday morning
Classical Matwork Masterclass for Body Concert teachers and industry peers: Friday Monthly
Susan Dowd
Susan is considerate and dedicated in her approach to teaching Pilates. With a focus on clear, concise and invitational cueing she builds connection by promoting autonomy and freedom to explore.
Certifications
- Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (NAT10537) — National Pilates Training.
- Cert IV Pilates Matwork and Reformer.
- Ba. Communications.
Favourites
“The spine corrector or mat or wunda chair!”
Teaches
Group classes: Thursday afternoon/evening
Solo and Duet Studio Pilates lessons: Thursday afternoon
Dana Foenander
Dana believes that yoga is something that can be beneficial to all bodies and seeks to create a space where people can come to class and feel welcome just as they are. Dana’s classes are inclusive to all abilities and may also include elements of breath work, meditation and yin.
Certifications
- 200 hour YTT and 50 hour yin YTT certified
Favourites
“Savasana – prioritising rest, always,”
Teaches
Slow Flow Yoga class: Tuesday evening
Emma-Kate Hitchcock
Emma is a warm and encouraging instructor who supports you to discover your optimum movement potential. She sensitively supports injuries and reduced ranges of motion while maintaining a calm application of the core Pilates principles.
Certifications
- Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (NAT10537) — National Pilates Training.
Favourites
“The mat – I love the challenge of pitting body weight exercises against gravity, particularly the Push Up - it combines full body awareness with upper body strength.”
Teaches
Solo and Duet Studio Pilates: Monday and Friday morning
Group classes: Thursday morning
Annaliese Macdonald
Annaliese's focus is on creating intentional, embodied classes that support long-term wellbeing and sustainable strength. She brings artistry, anatomical knowledge, and a calm, encouraging presence to every class.
Certifications
- Barre Body Pilates Reformer and Mat Teacher Training
- Power Living Australia Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training
- Power Living Australia Yin Yoga Teacher Training
- Graduate Diploma in Classical Ballet at the Australian Ballet School
Favourites
“I love to use the magic circle to help find and establish beautiful thoracic function and form.”
Teaches
Group classes: Monday afternoon/evening and Sunday morning
Tessa McCord
Tessa teaches with a strong affinity for classical Pilates exercises, delivered through a contemporary programming framework. Her classes are skillfully designed to move you through energising sequences with gentle encouragement and clear, graceful instruction.
Certifications
- Studio Pilates International, Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates Accreditation
Favourites
“I love the simplicity, accessibility, and intensity of a simple mat Pilates workout. My favourite exercise is the Roll Up, it’s so rejuvenating for my body.”
Teaches
Group classes: Friday afternoon/evening
Julia Oakley
Julia’s contemporary and holistic approach to Pilates invites mindful movement and deeper connection to the body. Her teaching supports Pilates as a lifelong practice, valuing longevity, freedom and ease of movement both in the studio and in everyday life.
Certifications
- Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (NAT10537) — National Pilates Training.
Favourites
“I enjoy working on both the Reformer and Mat; however, if I had to select one, I would choose the Barrels. My favourite exercises on this apparatus are Climb-A-Tree and Swan.”
Teaches
Group classes: Wednesday morning
Madeleine Porritt
Madeleine teaches with a quiet and confident authority, creating a uniquely focused yet fun group class energy. The popularity of her classes is a testament to the student-teacher trust that she effortlessly builds.
Certifications
- Stott Pilates Comprehensive Matwork and Reformer.
- Chaz Knight Classical Curious Workshop Series.
Favourites
“Climb a Tree.”
Teaches
Group classes: Saturday morning
Tara Presnell
Tara’s teaching is calm and layered, guiding you to refine movement by tuning into what feels right for your body, building awareness, control and confidence. She encourages you to explore Pilates principles at your own pace to develop strength, control and a deeper awareness of your body as a whole.
Certifications
- Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (NAT10537) — National Pilates Training
- Cert IV Pilates (NAT10721) — Breathe Education
- Authorised Scolio-Pilates® Practitioner
- Other: Cert IV in Dance (NAT CUA40113)
Favourites
“I love Matwork for its accessibility, while always jumping at the chance to work with the Studio equipment for its technical brilliance and endless possibilities.”
Teaches
Solo and Duet Studio Pilates lessons: Wednesday and Thursday afternoon
Group classes: Wednesday afternoon/evening
Lana Sprajcer
Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Lana works as an independent dance artist and Mat Pilates teacher. Her approach to movement and teaching is, beyond the Pilates method, informed by various movement practices such as: Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, Klein Technique and Body-Mind Centering.
Certifications
- BA in Contemporary Dance, Mat Pilates Teacher Certificate and Trauma Informed Pilates
- Approach Certificate
Favourites
“The Pilates chi ball.”
Teaches
Group classes: Tuesday morning and Saturday afternoon
Ninessa Subrata
Having recently qualified as a Pilates teacher with a background in cyber security governance and risk, Ninessa brings a thoughtful, structured and safety-first approach to her teaching. Grounded in the Pilates’ principles, her classes are progressively layered with intention, but more importantly, designed to help students feel aligned, supported and connected to their bodies.
Certifications
- Professional Pilates Reformer Instruction, National Pilates Training (Ninessa’s NPT training was supported by class observation hours and mentoring at Body Concert.)
Favourites
“Reformer is my apparatus of choice. I love spinal articulation exercises, such as Short and Long Spine, for their ability to build strength, precision and flow through the whole body.”
Teaches
Group Community class: Saturday afternoon
Work with us
We’re always interested in hearing from experienced teachers aligned with our philosophy. We value teachers with strong fundamentals, a considered approach and respect for diverse bodies.
